Euphorbia caducifolia: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 10:11, 1 October 2021
| Euphorbia caducifolia | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus: | Euphorbia |
| Species: | E. caducifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Euphorbia caducifolia | |
Euphorbia caducifolia is a subtropical succulent species of flowering plant in the genus Euphorbia. It is found in India where it is known as the leafless milk hedge.[2]
Description
Euphorbia caducifolia forms a dense, branching bush up to 3 m (10 ft) high and 10 m (33 ft) in diameter. The succulent stems branch frequently and tend to grow vertically. It has small oval leaves some 2.5 to 8 cm (1 to 3 in) long and 2.5 cm (1 in) wide, but these soon fall. Spines on the stipules are up to 1 cm (0.4 in) long. E. caducifolia resembles the leafy milk hedge (Euphorbia nivulia) but differs in having multiple stems, and smaller, more transitory leaves. The flowers are orange-red and appear in February and March.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Euphorbia caducifolia has a rather limited distribution in the Thar Desert in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, on the boundary between India and Pakistan.[1] This is an area of sandy hills and shifting sand dunes, with clumps of thorny vegetation, low trees, grasses and scrub.[3]
Ecology
In southern Rajasthan, some of the hills are well clad with vegetation, and there Euphorbia caducifolia is associated with Butea monosperma, Millettia pinnata , Syzygium hyrianium, Wrightia tinctoria and Ziziphus nummularia. In the arid region near Sambhar Salt Lake, it is associated with thorny scrub such as Anogeissus pendula and Boswellia.[4]
Uses
The latex of Euphorbia caducifolia has been used in Pakistan as an anti-tumour agent, and the roots are also said to have anti-tumour properties.[5] The latex has also been used historically to promote the healing of wounds, and research has shown that it does indeed exhibit significant wound healing activity.[6] The plant is also a rich source of hydrocarbons (C-15 compounds) that can be processed to produce a biodiesel fuel.[7]
References
- ^ a b Hussain, S. Sadr-Uddin; Qadir, S. A. (1970). "An Autecological Study of Euphorbia caducifolia Haines". Vegetatio. 20 (5/6): 329–380.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Leafless milk hedge". Flowers of India. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- ^ "The Thar Desert". Geography Revision. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ Sharma, B.K.; Kulshreshtha, Seema; Rahmani, Asad R. (2013). Faunal Heritage of Rajasthan, India: Conservation and Management of Vertebrates. Springer Science and Business Media. pp. 82, 182. ISBN 9783319013459.
- ^ Maffei, Massimo (2003). Dietary Supplements of Plant Origin. CRC Press. p. 217. ISBN 9780203027097.
- ^ Goyal, Manoj; Nagori, B.P.; Sasmal, D. (2012). "Wound healing activity of latex of Euphorbia caducifolia". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 144 (3): 786–790. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.10.006.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Misra, K.K. (2001). Peoples and Environment in India. Discovery Publishing House. p. 85. ISBN 9788171415861.